'You can make a difference' by answering the call at Samaritans

Tuesday

Feb 5, 2019 at 12:00 PM

By Sabrina GuilbeaultContributing Writer

The Samaritans of Fall River/New Bedford are seeking caring and compassionate volunteers to befriend callers on their suicide prevention crisis hotline. The organization provides confidential emotional support to any person who is lonely, depressed, suicidal, or concerned about a loved one.

“Befriending a caller involves compassionate, nonjudgmental, not prejudicial listening,” said Darcy Lee, executive director of Samaritans, who explained that Bristol County already has seen six suicides in 2019. “It’s alarming, and it shows that there are people out there who need our help."

As the total number of suicides in SouthCoast increased from 17 in 2017 to 27 in 2018, the Rev. David Lima, chairman of Greater New Bedford Suicide Prevention Coalition, explained that the need for volunteers at the hotline is at an all-time high.

“All of us have reached dark places in our lives, but a lot of us have a support system in our friends and families, or coping mechanisms that can help us get out of a low place,” said Lima. “For someone who feels alone, having a person at the other end of the phone wanting to listen can be lifesaving.”

“Suicides are occurring at such an alarming level, and this kind of volunteer work allows you to give back to the community in a low-profile way,” said a current volunteer at the hotline, who goes by Ben. Callers and the content of calls is always kept confidential, and the anonymity of the volunteers is also protected.

“Our services are needed, and my experience has been very rewarding,” he said. “You can make a difference in someone’s life just by being empathetic.”

All volunteers go through an application process, as well as 35 hours of classroom training and training over the phone, which is run my mental health professionals and experienced volunteers.

There are 35 volunteers working with Samaritans, which includes a range of people from students to retirees passionate about the cause. Volunteers are asked to commit to five hours a week for six months.

The crisis hotline is free and available from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Lee said that when the line is busy, or if callers needing to talk to someone call after hours, the national suicide prevention hotline number is provided, ensuring that every call is answered.

At Samaritans, one volunteer manages the phones during each two and half hour shift, however, the organization is moving to a handicapped accessible location than can handle two volunteers working the phones at a time.

The nonprofit also offers a suicide survivors support group called Safe Place, for families or friends of those who have completed suicide. In additional, Samaritans make weekly KARE Calls, which involves calling members of the community to check in on their well-being.

Three volunteer trainings take place a year, and the first is Feb. 9, 11, and 12. Those interested can email samaritansfrnb@gmail.com or call 508-673-3777 for an application or more information.

“There is a need to bring the discussion surrounding suicide out of the shadows,” said Lee, who emphasized that mental health should be treated with same regard as physical health. “This is a mental health issue, and destigmatizing mental health is essential as we move forward.”

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